2017 Building Diversity Awards: O’Neill Construction Group Inc.

Maurice Rahming came up through the trades. He started his apprenticeship in 1988, worked his way up to journeyman, and then went on to earn his commercial inspector’s license and additional certifications.

In 1998, he and his wife, Ali O’Neill, decided to go into business for themselves. The company initially focused on electrical contracting. But after partnering on projects with Walsh Construction to gain general contracting experience in 2011 and acquiring Howard Jacobs Masonry in 2014, the company expanded its reach into the construction sector.

The company has grown to more than 60 employees and its portfolio contains a long list of projects that are impressive for both complexity and an inclination toward public service. Those projects include the John Day fish ladders; a Veterans Administration facility in Walla Walla, Washington; a U.S. Forest Service laboratory in Corvallis Oregon; and Tilikum Crossing – Bridge of the People in Portland. The firm’s client list also includes Portland Community College, the city of Portland, TransCore and TriMet

“There was a series of projects that had us rethink how we do things,” Rahming said. “City of Portland and state jobs required certified payroll information, and it got us thinking about managing and tracking our people. We became better at cost projections and that made us more competitive, more precise in our project estimations. What some firms see as a problem, we actually turned into a benefit.”

The firm is also very invested in the community. They’re involved with Metropolitan Alliance for Workforce Equity (MAWE-Portland), Portland Youth Builders, the Asian-Pacific American Chamber of Commerce, Enhabit Portland, All Hands Raised, Oregon Tradeswomen and several other non-profit and professional development organizations.

They’ve won a 2015 City of Portland “Making A Difference” award and a 2017 Rose Community Development “Outstanding Business Partner” award. The firm’s activities in the region are directly applied to its business practices.

“Our approach is based on my experience,” Rahming said. “I came up through the industry and when I had an opportunity to enter the trades I saw it as my pathway out of poverty. That’s very powerful — to offer a way for people to escape poverty. I feel I have a responsibility to open that door for others. It isn’t just checking off a (MWESB) box; it’s about success for people.”